Look for childcare

Availability

Parents should contact individual childcare providers to check the availability of early education sessions.

  • Pre-schools and schools
    • Some offer early education sessions only, while others provide flexible services for working parents or a combination of both

Childminders

Childminders are self-employed professionals offering childcare in their own homes.

  • Most cater to both under 5s and school-aged children, though some specialise in specific age groups
  • Childminders are registered and inspected by Ofsted
  • Many parents choose childminders for the flexibility they provide or for the home-like, small group environment they offer
  • In Swindon, childminders are encouraged to offer flexible services to accommodate parents’ work patterns

Pre-schools

Swindon pre-schools offer funded early education places for:

  • 3 and 4 year olds
  • 2 year olds (in some settings)

Key features:

  • Open during term time and school hours
  • Provide opportunities for children, including those with SEND, to learn, play with peers and prepare for school
  • Registered and inspected by Ofsted
  • Staff are qualified early education professionals

Services within schools

Some Swindon primary schools provide funded early education within maintained nursery classes.

  • Sessions are available in the morning or afternoon
  • Delivered by a qualified teacher following the Early Years Foundation Stage
  • Children learn through play
  • Maintained nursery classes are registered and inspected as part of the school’s overall Ofsted report

Day nurseries

Day Nurseries offer care and education for children from six-weeks-old to compulsory school age.

  • Operating hours are typically flexible, such as 7.30am to 6.00pm and they are open throughout the year, including holidays
  • Charges
    • Funded hours can be used
    • Charges for additional hours vary. Contact the nursery directly for details.

School admissions

Most primary schools maintain strong links with local pre-schools, but:

  • attendance at a specific pre-school does not guarantee admission to a particular school, even if it’s a maintained nursery class
  • for more information, visit the School admissions webpages

Find local childcare

If you are searching for local childcare providers, visit the Family Information Directory, or email: EY&CBrokerage@swindon.gov.uk.

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